I purchased my first TOTA broadheads in June 2021 for my compound bow - 100 gr, 1", 4 blade, vented, as well as the TOTA 100 gr. target points. I could put them into a 2"x2" square on a foam block out to 40 yards all day long with my set up. In October 2021 I ordered the 300 grit TOTA sharpener to touch them up. The TOTA sharpener(s) are simple and user friendly. TOTA recommends a honing fluid be used with the sharpener. I have been using Smith's Honing Solution with satisfactory results. I use Howard's Cutting Board Oil, Food Grade Mineral Oil, to coat the broadheads to protect them in the field. I brush off any excess. I've gone a whole season with them in the quiver without any blemishing or recoating through rain and snow. My first season using the TOTA 1" 100 grain vented broadhead, November 2021, I took a buck at under 20 yards shot from a stand, broadside full pass through, 56 pound draw weight, 26" draw length, Easton 6.5 mm arrows. He fell where he stood, much to my disbelief. When dressing the buck I found a perfect "X" cut through the heart. Having this experience, in June 2022 I ordered the 150 grain, 1", solid heads for a 1980's Excalibur Wolverine crossbow with upgraded MagTip limbs that was my grandad's that I keep handy for small, young, or inexperienced shooters who may want to tag along, or in case one day I can't shoot a vertical bow anymore. Draw weight is about 175 lbs. for this crossbow. August 2024 I set up 20" Easton Crossbow Hunter XX75 2219 aluminum bolts, 3x 3.75" vanes, 1 degree offset, with 150 grain tip / head, overall arrow weight: 512 grains. Chronograph indicated: 238 fps. Slow by crossbow standards, but considering the old crossbow and heavy bolt set up, and the practical hunting distances it would be used for, I was satisfied. I sighted in the crossbow, bolt, and broadheads in September 2024. At 20 yards it could consistently hit a 2" square, 10/10 shots. At 30 yards it could consistently hit a 2" square. At 40 yds. a 3" square, and finally at 48 yards a 3"-4" group. It won't be used that far but it has a trajectory compensating reticle so I sighted it in. In October 2024 I lent the crossbow, bolts, and TOTA 1" 150 gr. solid heads to a friends teenage son for his first season of deer hunting. November 1, 2024 he took his first deer, a respectable 8 point buck, nice body, from a stand I'm well acquainted with. A steep shot from the stand at 20 yards or less, broadside. He hit high in the right shoulder, just below the spine. Passed through the front right scapula, possibly clipped the spine, and lodged in the front left leg bone, breaking the leg. According to the shooter: The buck had been standing on the near side creek bank, which is steep. When he hit the buck it "knocked" the buck off the bank, into the creek upside down. There was flowing water about knee high in the creek. According to the shooter he could hear the buck gurgling in the water and saw it's head submerged, possibly drowning. The buck was eventually up righted but could not get out of the creek. His first deer shooting experience, he called to ask if he should put another arrow in it. I'm always in favor of a second shot if it will certainly be fatal and ensure a swift dispatch of an animal. Having shot a deer through the heart and witnessing a quick death I suggested he shoot it again in the heart. He asked if he could shoot it in the head between the ears from the back. Having saw John Lusk's finishing fatal and effective headshot on a boar, I said go for it. He reported back that he did and that the shot from approx. 3 yds away, was immediately effective and fatal. After the deer was dressed out, hide off, and quartered for processing, we removed the rack opening the scull. I was able to retrieve the broadhead, which was unfazed. No rolling of the blade edges, no blade chattering, no blunting, bending, or dulling of the tip. A quick rinse and it looked as if it had just come from the packaging. I of course touched it up on the TOTA sharpener. It took about a week to get the broadhead back from the left leg. Once received I noted that it had become tarnished from being in the leg for three days, then covered in deer matter for a few more days exposed to air. The blades were not damaged, the tip / ferrule was unfazed, only the black finish was blemished. I examined, cleaned, sharpened, and lubricated the broadhead and it's back in the quiver ready to go again. Since then I have put another 1" 100 grain vented through a buck, and am awaiting the arrival of a set of 125 gr 1" solids and 150 gr. solid XL's for my recurve. After reading this, if it's not apparent, YES, I would buy TOTA broadheads again, and YES I DO RECOMMEND THEM. Dollar for value, ease of care and maintenance, and performance I'm a satisfied and repeat customer.
